NOTE: Thanks for the reviews!! Hope you like this chapter!! Please review!! Let me know how I'm doing, good or bad.

NOTE (08-04-03): I made alterations at the very last section of this chapter. It has to do with the entering of enemies in Gondor. You'll see. I also made alterations in chapter 20 to match.

RELIEVED: 18

Arodiel opened her eyes, and found herself asleep in Laurelas' bed, though she was alone in the room. As she sat up, she remembered what had happened the night before. She had gone to look for Laurelas, but could not find him anywhere. Tired, she decided to retreat to his room, and wait for him until he returned. It seemed, as she found the next morning, he hadn't been in his room all night.
Arodiel gasped when she heard the sound of a familiar horn coming from a distance. She thought her ears were deceiving her, but the sound grew louder, as if it were approaching, and she recognized it to be the horn of Gondor. Quickly she got out of bed and ran to where the sound was coming from. The horn led her to the entrance of the stone fort, where she found Nestor, and Laurelas standing motionless, looking ahead where a company could clearly be seen riding in. The three immediately noticed the flags, and knew the company to be from Gondor. The trio waited for the company to approach, each wondering who had been sent to them, but when the party was only half way down the long path, they noticed a figure running towards them, and as he came closer, they noticed another figure following. Nestor began to pace forward, and knew it was her father coming. She quickened her speed to run to him, and Arodiel realized the other figure to be her father, and jolted as fast as she could.
When Aragorn finally reached his daughter, Nestor jumped into her father's arms, hugging him tightly, for she had missed the comfort that his arms provided. Laurelas approached moments later. He noticed the reunion between Arodiel and Faramir only inches across from Aragorn and Nestor; Faramir repeatedly thanking Eru for his daughter's safety. Aragorn parted from his daughter's embrace, to cup her face within his palms.

"You are safe, praise the Valar for it. Your mother is worried sick; she would be overjoyed to know you are all safe." Aragorn then quickly turned to Laurelas, who only smiled faintly to the King. "Laurelas," he breathed, pulling the boy into an embrace. Laurelas warmly hugged back, for Aragorn brought with him the sense of home, and after what had happened so far, that is all Laurelas longed for. When the two parted, Aragorn looked upon Laurelas' face, and saw in his eyes that something was wrong. Despite the fact that the boy looked tired, his eyes drooped, as if he was saddened by something.

"Laurelas my boy, what is the matter?"

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot quite grasp what it is, but you look as if you've.."

"I've?"

"I, I do not know. But I wish to speak with you later. Now, where is your sisters and brother? Were they not curious at the sound of the horn?" At that point Faramir and Arodiel approached, and Faramir joined in Aragorn's inquisitiveness.

"Yes, where is your brother Arodiel?" Faramir asked, his arm still around her shoulder, as he questioned her. Arodiel looked to Nestor and Laurelas, as the three tried to decide with their expressions who would tell them.

"Well, the truth is, they are not here. Anárion had been kid napped when we were attacked by a group of orcs. Amdiriel escaped, but to where we do not know. She was with Ewan, and Eldarion I have no idea where he is, but he must have escaped from that orc ravage, he was the only one left," Laurelas answered for them, the girls only nodding silently to agree.

"What? Kidnapped! What in Eru's name for?" Faramir said.

"Who is Ewan, Laurelas?" Aragorn asked, suspicious that the name was of the male gender, and this male was with his daughter.

"Um, we will explain later, Aragorn, but rest assure for he will watch over Amdiriel. I give you my word." Aragorn only gave Laurelas an apprehensive look, but before he could question the matter further, Thranduil approached the company. Aragorn and Faramir both bowed in respect, as did Thranduil to the King and Steward of Gondor, who he welcomed.

"Elessar, I see you've already discovered your children," Thranduil spoke gracefully.

"Yes, and Faramir and I truly appreciate you caring for them and welcoming them to Eryn Lasgalen."

"I would not think of having turned them away. They are always welcome here. Please, you must be tired, come, rest," Thranduil motioned for them to enter, as they did, but Laurelas lagged behind, as the rest of the company behind him were dismounting and beginning to make camp. Thranduil noticed the boy, and approached him.

"You have not recovered yet, Laurelas?"

"I'm afraid not. I stayed up throughout the night, thinking about my father. Over and over again in my mind I regret not having attempted to find him. It was only because I didn't know the truth."

"Laurelas, you cannot blame yourself. It was kept from you for a reason."

"I cannot deny that I wanted to find him, but I never acted upon my emotions. I was too angry, but now I find I am only angry with myself."

"It should not hold on so firmly to your heart, Laurelas. Let it go, he will return, I know he will. You will find him soon enough. Do not fret." With that, Laurelas followed his grandfather back inside, not exactly feeling satisfied.

LÓRIEN

Amdiriel awoke to find Ewan and Eldarion across from her, sleeping soundly. She felt her throat dry and she thirst for water, so she quietly made her way down the platform steps, her knee still aching, but her thirst for water was overpowering. She found a well at the floor ground of the forest. Cupping the cool water into her hands, she drank until her thirst was satisfied, then washed her face to freshen her senses. Amdiriel was finally able to admire the Golden Wood, and tried to imagine the magnificence it must have once had.

"My mother could have walked these steps, or my great grandmother for that matter," she whispered to herself. She then heard footsteps approaching, and knew it must of only been one of two people. Turning, she saw Ewan standing behind her.

"Good morrow, milady," he said gently, making his way to the well.

"And to you."

After drinking a few handfuls of water, he turned back to Amdiriel. "It was quite a night."

"Yes, one I most certainly will not forget. Well, Ewan, where do you intend to take us now?"

"I do not know, but I fear wherever I suggest, your brother will disapprove. He is fixed on finding your sister."

"I admit my sister's safety does worry him, but I do not think he desires to find Ainik for my sister's sake alone."

"Ah, for the lady Aeronel, I gather?"

"Yes. Though if I were to ask him of it, he would surely deny it."

"Tell me, Amdiriel, what does your heart wish to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, your brother wishes to go to the Northern Waste to save your sister and Aeronel, but what do you wish to do? I know you do not agree that I drag you everywhere. If it was your choice, where we went next, where would you go?"

"Home, Ewan. Have I not made that clear? Back to Gondor, to Minas Tirith, to the citadel."

"Your stubbornness is going to get you killed, literally. I told you it is not safe there."

"It is of your own fault you asked me."

"It puzzles me greatly that you and your brother so freely spread thin the safety of your so called loved ones."

"Do not assume anything, ELFWINE, you know nothing of what my family means to me!" Amdiriel had raised her voice, angry and offended.

Ewan raised his voice to the girl in return. "I am not Elfwine, Amdiriel! For what reason you are making me out to be something I am not, I do not know. But I do know that it is not of your problem, so keep from interfering!"

"You are not Elfwine? It is a pity your belly is so yellow! Rohan only deserves a rightful King, one who would be proud to lead the Rohirrim."

"At least if I were to ever return to Rohan, my place as King will be waiting for me. What of you, Amdiriel? You would return to Gondor and nothing awaits you!" Ewan yelled, but suddenly realizing what he had said, and his eyes softened as Amdiriel began to hold back her tears. "Amdiriel, I am sorry, I did not mean," but she cut him off mid sentence, and turned to leave his presence. Ewan, however, grabbed her arm, and turned her around only to place a kiss upon her lips, a new desire that only now took hold of him more strongly than he thought. Amdiriel, smitten with the kiss, conformed for a moment, but remembered her salty tears that ran down her cheek, and pushed Ewan from her, backing away then running off.

GONDOR

"MILADY!! MILADY!!" Arwen rose from her bed, putting on her cloak, and answered the door.

"What is it Rhiandra?" Arwen asked sleepily.

"Milady, an unwanted militia is trying to enter the city at the gates."

"What? Militia from where?"

"I do not know, milady. But the leaders says he will not keep his army calm lest he speak to you first."

"How many of them are there Rhiandra?"

"I do not know milady, but there seems to be a fair amount of them."

"What does the council think?"

"They do not think it safe, but they are split in judgment for it seems they have no other way to keep them from being so restless. Our soldiers who are remaining here are not numerous nor prepared enough to begin a small war with the new enemy. If we call for help, it will take a day or two at the quickest pace, and even if we send word the city gates are blocked."

"Then we have no choice, I will speak to the leader."

TBC... So, I altered it a little, because I agree klaw, seems like Gondor wouldn't be so loosely protected that anyone could just stride in. I also made alterations in chapter 20. thanks for the advice!! Don't forget to review!